Partners Finance & Lease lends more than $90m to businesses

Partners Finance & Lease celebrates continued growth, lending more than $90 million to businesses across the region

Finance company Partners Finance & Lease is celebrating another year of continued growth within the agricultural sector, lending more than $90 million to businesses across the region.

Partners Finance & Lease is one of New Zealand’s largest non-bank commercial lenders, providing asset finance and leasing solutions to businesses across the country. The company, founded by Francis Fitzgerald, has a target of lending $150 million.

The company’s shareholders include local investors Francis Fitzgerald (founder and CEO), retired Methven farmer Graham Robertson – a former Federated Farmers president, and Jim Boult – mayor of Queenstown and the former chief executive of Christchurch Airport, alongside independent director and board chairman, Bryan Inch – formerly MD of Rabobank NZ, CEO of CBS Canterbury, and currently a GM at Ravensdown.

"We’ve had another fantastic year of growth, backing more New Zealand businesses and most recently, have moved into a larger office space to accommodate our growing team. From supporting vineyard growers in the Marlborough region to ag-machinery dealers across Canterbury, we are active throughout the country and our personalised and understanding approach has appealed to progressive and forward-focused businesses," Francis says.

Shareholder and farmer, Graham Robertson added, "We’re thrilled to support the ever-growing agricultural industry. As New Zealand continues to be a leader in global farming, we’re seeing some cutting-edge machinery being used on our farms to improve efficiency and sustainability. As a result, we’re noticing an upturn in demand for machinery and equipment, which is an extremely positive sign for the industry."

Independent director and board chairman, Bryan Inch said more businesses are now opting to finance their machinery through non-commercial lenders such as Partners Finance & Lease.

"Whether it’s a fleet of farm utes, harvester or baler, businesses are becoming more savvy with the financing of their equipment," he says. "By spreading the load between both their bank and non-bank lenders, they create more flexibility and accessibility when it comes to purchasing new plant and equipment."